Inspite of provision for purchase of paddy in Rabi season from May 1, the State Government has initiated sale and purchase of paddy through common market system at different dates from May 15.
Due to mismanagement in paddy purchase during last Kharif season, the farmers sold their paddy at a price less by Rs 700 to Rs 800 in open market, as the Government failed to purchase their paddy. Now also, same situation is noticed in Rabi season for paddy purchase. Due to lapse of token of farmers, they are now selling paddy in open market incurring loss of Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,200 per quintal.
In this situation, a memorandum was given on Tuesday to Chief Minister through the district Collector by Jharsuguda District BJP Farmers Union president Murari Panigrahi in presence of district BJP president Mangal Sahoo and former MLA Radharani Panda The main demands in the memorandum were that the Government purchase paddy of all the farmers who have completed registration for selling of paddy in Rabi season; take responsibilty to purchase paddy after it reaches market place without fixing the validity of the tokens and provide details of the charges to the farmers like pay loading , unloading, transportation and gunny bag charges paid by Central Government.
While the purchasing agency, RMC is getting 2% commission per quintal from the Government, the PACS have stock of crores of rupees. But, unfortunately, these agencies are not making permanent arrangement to keep paddy in the market yard for which farmers are incurring heavy losses every year.
Farmers are suffereing due to deductions like "Katni" and "Chhatni" for which the Government should take strong action against millers. The district administration should be given power to distribute tokens. In case, the Government does not take immediate steps to fulfil these demands, a State level agitation will be launched by union members said.